Comments on: Haber: Fresh ideas for Coliseum financinghttp://libn.com/2012/07/19/haber-fresh-ideas-for-nassau-coliseum-financing/
The premier source of Long Island news and data on business, economic trends and the region’s robust entrepreneurial sector.Thu, 30 Jul 2015 23:54:55 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5By: Adam Haberhttp://libn.com/2012/07/19/haber-fresh-ideas-for-nassau-coliseum-financing/comment-page-1/#comment-101290
Adam HaberSat, 21 Jul 2012 22:24:49 +0000http://libn.com/?p=81670#comment-101290One other thought following up Justin’s comments: Have a design contest from the top architects on Long Island as to what the 77 acres could be. This could spark everyone’s imagination as to what vision we could have created right among us! This could provide the needed spark to get the ball (or puck) rolling. AMH
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Adam HaberSat, 21 Jul 2012 22:12:02 +0000http://libn.com/?p=81670#comment-101288I love Justin’s comments… Creative thinking will get the coliseum built again and residents will be motivated to be part of something special. AMH
]]>By: Justinhttp://libn.com/2012/07/19/haber-fresh-ideas-for-nassau-coliseum-financing/comment-page-1/#comment-101249
JustinFri, 20 Jul 2012 18:50:07 +0000http://libn.com/?p=81670#comment-101249We know that the NC voting public voted down the proposed bonding plan last year. Can’t blame them when they were being asked to put their trust in an inept county with no actual plan (a generic arena rendering was released one day before the referendum) during the height of the national conversation over the federal debt ceiling. But, what if there was a plan that could entice citizens to want to contribute to a fund towards development? I think the people of Long Island and NC want something to be proud of and something that will symbolize what Long Island can achieve now and in the future. Not to mention a place where we can bring our families for years to come.

These half-assed schemes from a county with a track record of fiscal ineptitude and straight-up corruption have no inspiration and are an affront. We need an actual vision presented to us not these political volleys with no substance (Mangano’s RFQs and Jacob’s asinine counter proposals). If we get anymore of the same you can bet on a vacated asphalt tundra for many years to come. The decision on the future of the site should not be left to inept politicians or to the crooked land developers. You can bet that we will be left with something less then we deserve if we do.

An actual vision should be commissioned for the site by a third party representing the the real public’s interest since the county has been unable to do so. This party should get the planners of the re-developed Lincoln Center to do so. The Lincoln Center is a glorious design from the same era as the coliseum and it’s re-development is something to behold. Why don’t we deserve such an accomplishment on Long Island? Why do we settle for so much less? We are the one’s who build the Lincoln Centers of the world, we are the ones with the highest property taxes in the nation and we are the ones that are constantly getting the shaft from our local government. That is our land and we deserve something special there for us to enjoy.

I think if a world class architecture firm had the chance to create a proposal re-develop the coliseum and plan the surrounding area they might jump at the chance if they thought it’s implementation could result in a special public space and triumph for people over corruption and such…I could imagine the site with a refurbished Coliseum, an event center, a new “eco-friednly hotel” surrounded by an expanded plains preservation area connected via pedestrian bridge to Eisenhower Park, a sports-medicine/biotech park synergistic with Hofstra’s new medical school and the surrounding athletic facilities, a “plaza” connecting NCC, Hofstra, Mitchel Field and NVMC and a 15-20K soccer stadium at Mitchel Field for MLS.

How do we pay for it? First…20% crowd-funding! Present this vision to the people of Long Island and allow them to voluntarily pay for it themselves using Kickstarter. Payment options in tiers ($10 a year for 10 years; $15 for 10 years; lump sum etc..). Only a portion of the financing would come form this. It is experimental but it could give the people of LI a chance to have a say in a grand vision for their future. It could also spark larger, unsolicited donations to the cause from corporations and wealthy individuals. Wang would be incentiveized to contribute 30-40% through private financing. 20% from unions pension funds. %20 from low-interest loan to NC for infrastructure. And, federal/state level assistance for other infrastructure improvements (most importantly light rail or extension of LIRR spur).

How do “the people” work with the county in order to move forward our own proposal?

Am I crazy? yes. Am I a dreaming? Yes. But, that’s the only things great things can be achieved. Long Island deserves something great.

]]>By: jbritvan@realbrokers.orghttp://libn.com/2012/07/19/haber-fresh-ideas-for-nassau-coliseum-financing/comment-page-1/#comment-101221
jbritvan@realbrokers.orgThu, 19 Jul 2012 21:28:03 +0000http://libn.com/?p=81670#comment-101221A few additional points that would generate additonal income for The County. Why does Nassau County give away Parking revenue? On certain days when there are no activities for The New Coliseum the parking fields can be used as an outdoor flea market.The development of The Hub would have been accomplished a long time ago if the developemnt was put in the hands of a group of experienced Long Island Commercial Real Estate Brokers who do not benefit from who developes what! The County doesn’t have the expertise that ” adequately paid” Seasoned Commercial Brokers have! Save a Dollar and Loose Millions!
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